Change of venue motion filed

Attorney asks that Behrman murder trial be moved.

Attorney asks that Behrman murder trial be moved.

April 19, 2006

MARTINSVILLE, Ind. (AP) -- An attorney for a man charged with murdering Indiana University freshman Jill Behrman is asking that the trial be moved out of Morgan County. Patrick V. Baker filed a change of venue request Tuesday in Morgan Superior Court, claiming that media coverage and public comments by investigators regarding the arrest of his client, John R. Myers II, of Ellettsville, would bias jurors. "Even more of note is the fact that the prosecutor's office and state police have sought information, evidence and testimony specifically from the community in Morgan County, even after Mr. Myers was arrested, which is very unusual," Baker said. A judge will hear the change-of-venue motion May 15. Myers' trial is tentatively set for September. Myers II, 30, was charged April 10 in the death of Behrman, 19, who vanished during a morning bike ride in Bloomington in 2000. Hunters found her skeletal remains in March 2003, about 15 miles north of Bloomington in Morgan County. A six-member grand jury indicted Myers earlier this month after hearing testimony from more than 90 witnesses. The grand jury also indicted Alisha Evans, 26, who is related to Myers through marriage, on two counts of perjury. Authorities are tightly guarding details of the case, including the autopsy results. Eric Behrman of Bloomington, Jill Behrman's father, said he doesn't see how the potential jury pool would be prejudiced, noting that neither the suspect nor his daughter were from Morgan County. "It doesn't matter to me. Whatever they decide, they decide," Behrman told The Indianapolis Star. Police say Myers did not know Jill Behrman, but they will not comment on any possible motive for the murder. Myers has a criminal history that includes a conviction for misdemeanor battery resulting in bodily injury in 2000, as well as felony counts of receiving stolen property in 2005.